Chin-rest forviolins



(No Model.)

A. HEGK.

CHIN REST FOR VIOLINS.

No. 460,133. Patented Sept. 29, 1891.

and removed therefrom at pleasure.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST HEOK, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

CHIN-REST FOR VIOLINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 460,133, dated September 29, 1891.

Application filed March 2, 1891. Serial No. 383,347- (No model.)

To all whom it 71mg concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUST HECK, a citizen of Germany, residing at the cityof Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chin- Rests for Violins; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to chin-rests for violins and similar stringed instruments; and its object is to provide means whereby such chin-rests may be securely and readily attached or clamped to violins of different sizes Its object is, moreover, to so arrange the looking or clamping means that they will not project and interfere with the performer using the instrument to which the chin-rest is clamped.

For this purpose my invention consists in a chin-rest provided with clamping-arms, in combination with a clamping device whose plane of motion is at right angles to the clamping-lips of said clampingarms, and which is preferablyin the shape of a flat button substantially parallel to the vertical portions of the clamping-arms provided with a camsurface, preferably in the form of a spiral groove engaging with a portion of the clamping device. This button is preferably a turnbutton whose axis of rotation is parallel to the aforesaid lips; and my invention further consistsin a clamping device for chin-rests located in a recess, preferably formed by bending the vertical legs of the clamp inward, whereby the clamping-button is arranged flush with or below the other parts of the chin-rest.

Finally, my invention consists in such further details, features, and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, and covered in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this application, Figure 1 represents in perspective so much of a violin with my chin-rest attached as is necessary to illustrate my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical central section, on an enlarged scale, of the same. Fig. 3 represents an interior View of the turn or clamping button; Fig. 4, an inner elevation of the chin-rest; Figs. 5 and 6, transverse sections on lines a: and 1 y, Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the clamping-button.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the preferred embodiment of my invention consists in a clamp A, whose two lips a a are provided 011 their inner sides with the usual cushions or gaskets a d of cork, leather, or similar yielding material, to prevent injury to the instrument at the point of contact. The chin-rest proper B is secured to the upper lip a, as shown. The clamp A consists of the two bent arms 0, of which the lips a a form a part, whose vertical arms 0 c are adapted to be engaged by a clamping device D, preferably in the following manner: The clamping device is so constructed as to haveits plane of movement at right angles to the lips- 2'. 6., parallel to the side of the violin contiguous thereto, as shown, and also to the vertical arms 0 o. By this arrangement I am enabled to quickly and easily manipulate the same with the least exertion and awkwardness possible. The clamping device consists, preferably, of a turn or clamping button (Z, which is preferably flat and substantially parallel to the vertical arms 0 0. its inner face is camshaped, and preferably in the form of a spiral or convolute groove (1. The cam-face of the turn-button is caused to engage or bear against a part of the arms 0, preferably by 1 easy and ready access of the key or other turning implement. This arrangement, moreover, enables meto make the turn-button flat,

parallel to and projecting but little above the arms 0 c. A very neat and compact construction is thus obtained, which, moreover, eliminates all danger of interfering with or becoming caught in the clothing of the performer.

In order to guide the arms O and insure their accurate engagement with the camgroove (1, and also to prevent accidental detachment or derangement of the parts, I swivel the clamping-button d to the guiding-sleeve or keeper d by means of a pin or stud 61 As shown, the arms 0 are inclosed within this keeper, so as to be capable only of a longitudinal movement within the same. I preferably hold these arms within the keeper (1 by a dovetail connection, as best shown in Fig.6. In order to overcome all tendency in the arms 0 to wobble or against lateral play,I provide the keeper (1 with the slots or notches d at the upper and lower extremities thereof. These notches are preferably dovetailed, as best shown in Figs. 4c and 5, and I provide the lugs c in the upper and lower arms 0, which are arranged to engage with the notches d, as shown, and are also preferably dovetailed at their sides, engaging with the sides of the notches CF.

The turn-button d and the keeper d together constitute what I term the clamping device, and it will be noted that the same is arranged at right angles to the lips of the clamp A In order to prevent any part of the clamping device from becoming engaged or caught in the clothing of the performer or to cause inconvenience, I arrange my clamping device within a recess of the chin-rest, preferably formed, as shown, by bending the arms 0 inward, as at 0 This arrangement of the clamping device within the recess by causing the same to lie iiush or below the other parts of the chin-rest is useful, also, with other constructions of chin-rest clamps, and where the clamping device is not so secure and firm as in my construction will prevent the accidental unclamping of the same by becoming caught in the dress of the performer.

The manner of using the chin-rest thus described is evident from the foregoing. hen the same has been applied to the instrument, it is clamped securely by turning the turnbutton cl, preferably by means of a key engaging the two notches d (1*, in its periphery. The walls of the spiral groove cl are thereby caused to bear against the lugs c of the arms 0 c, forcing both toward the center of the turn-button and securely clamping the lips a ct against the opposite walls of the violin or other instrument. A reverse rotation of the turn-button d forces the lips apart and releases the clamp A from the instrip ment.

It will be noted that by my construction a firm and absolutely secure clamping device is provided, and one that will permit of the use of broad connecting-arms, as 0, whereby the danger of breakage is considerably reduced.

\Vhile I consider the device shown in illustration of my invention the best manner of carrying the same into effect, it is manifest that the same may be modified in various ways without departing from my said invention.

I do not therefore desire to be limited to the particular construction and arrangements shown and described but That I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a chin-rest for violins and the like, the combination, with the clamping-arms having lips for embracing the instrument and vertical arms, of a flat clamping-button parallel to the vertical arms, substantially as set forth.

2. In a chin-rest, the combination of a clamp having lips for embracing a violin with a clamping device whose plane of motion is at right angles to the lips, substantially as set forth.

3. In a chin-rest, the combination, with a clamp having lips for embracing a violin, of a clamping turn-button whose axis of rotation is parallel to the said lips, substantially as set forth.

at. In a chin-rest, the combination, with a clamp, of a clamping turn-button having an inner cam-face for engaging a part of the clamp, substantially as described.

5. In a chin-rest, the combination, with a clamp, of a clamping turn-button having a spiral groove for engaging a part of the clamp, substantially as described.

6. In a chin-rest, the combination, with a clamp consisting of two arms provided with clamping lips and lugs, of a clamping turnbutton having a spiral groove engaged by the lugs of the clamp, substantially as described.

'7. In a chin-rest, the combination, with a clamp consisting of two arms having vertical portions and lugs or studs, as c, of a guidingsleeve embracing said arms, and a clamping turn-button swiveled thereto and having a cam-face engaged by the said lugs, substantially as described.

In a chin-rest, the combination, with a clamp consisting of two arms having vertical portions provided with lugs or studs, as c, and inner lugs, as 0 of a guiding sleeve embracing said arm and provided with notches, as cl, for engaging the lugs c", and a clamping turn-button swiveled to the guidingsleeve and having a cam-face engaging the lugs c, substantially as described.

9. In a chin-rest, the combination of a clamp having a recessed portion with a clamping device situated within said recess, substantially as described.

10. In a chin-rest, the combination of a clamp consisting of two clamping-arms, as c, bent inwardly, as at 0 in combination with a clamping turn-button situated within the recess so formed, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of three witnesses.

AUGUST IIECK.

Witnesses:

HENRY ARENZ,

HERMANN MAIBOSE, WM. H. J ONES.

ITO 

